Pupils Desert School To Harass Tourists

A number of school children in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) District have abandoned school and instead, engaged in harassing tourists at the forecourt of the Elimina Castle.

The children demand monies and visas from foreign tourists in particular to enable them travel abroad. The District Chief Executive, Nana Ato Arthur, disclosed this at the annual “Bronya” of the Chiefs and people of the Edina Traditional Area at the weekend, deplored the practice.

He said the District Assembly has instituted measures to deal drastically with children caught harassing tourists in the area. He noted that the practice was not only embarrassing but also undermine efforts by the Assembly to enhance tourism in the area.

The celebration of the Edina “Bronya” on 04 January every year is in remembrance of the settlement of differences and reconciliation between the Dutch and the people in the area on that date in the sixteenth century.

The occasion has since afforded families in the Edina state the opportunity to settle the differences and unite for progress. Nana Arthur urged the people to ensure a sanitary environment and keep themselves from the HIV/AIDS menace by being faithful to their partners, point out that the disease was threatening the lives of many people.

The Netherlands Ambassador, Arie C.M. Van der Wiel, announced that a donor’s conference would be held at Elimina in July this year to seek funding to support socio-economic development projects in the area.

He said that funds that would accrue from the conference would be used to implement the Elimina Cultural Heritage Management Project, which focuses on promoting education, health, tourism, sanitation and fishing. Wiel announced a $100,000 support from the Dutch government towards the rehabilitation of historical sites in Elimina.